Daniel Marquez, 5, lost his ear on Sunday, according to Bernalillo County officials, after a pit bull mauled him during an Easter gathering in a Southeast Albuquerque home.

"It's an unfortunate situation for all parties. The boy received serious lacerations to his face, his ear and his skull," Matt Pepper, director of Animal Care Services for Bernalillo County, said.

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Marquez is reportedly being treated for his injuries at University of New Mexico Hospital.

According to Pepper, the boy was not being watched by his mother, and wandered into the back yard where the male pit bull, named Diesel, was kept.

"We don't know what provoked him. There were no witnesses," Pepper said.

The owners of the dog have opted to surrender the dog. Pepper said the dog was not vaccinated at the time of the incident.

Currently, Diesel is under quarantine and will remain so for the next week.

"We really need to teach our children to be cognizant of stray animals, not to approach dogs, not approach dogs in unfamiliar situations," said Pepper. "There is a likely the possibility that the dog will be euthanized."